Defection in the Russian army. Officer changing sides — Live Feedhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/defection-in-the-russian-army-officer-changing-sidesContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. Russian Officer Lev Stupnikov Defects to Ukraine After Leaking Battle Planshttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/defection-in-the-russian-army-officer-changing-sideshttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/defection-in-the-russian-army-officer-changing-sides#u142095Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:10:20 +0000Lieutenant Lev Stupnikov has defected to Ukraine after providing military intelligence that helped Ukrainian forces kill more than 300 Russian soldiers. Stupnikov leaked troop locations, radio frequencies, and battle plans, allowing Kyiv to target command posts and track Russian movements. He escaped to Kyiv and has joined an anti-Putin unit. Stupnikov cited the destruction of freedom, independence, and the constitution under Vladimir Putin, as well as the bombing of innocent civilians, as his motivations for turning against his own army.Why it mattersDefections of high-ranking officers provid